Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1964 Bentley S3 Saloon
Estimate £24, 000 - £28, 000
Registration No: APV 758B
Chassis No: B204EC
MOT: March 2025
Finished in Midnight Blue with a delightfully patinated light Blue interior
Previous bodywork restoration and repaint
Offered with S3 handbook, Green continuation log book, collection of old tax discs and invoices
By 1955, Rolls-Royce felt increasingly less need to visually differentiate its own models from the Bentley-badged ones. The Bentley S1 that replaced the R-Type model was therefore basically a Silver Cloud I behind the distinctive 'Flying B' radiator grille. It was the last Bentley powered by the company's venerable 150bhp 4. 9-litre straight-six engine. The newcomer retained a separate chassis and body, facilitating the manufacture of special-bodied versions. Even so, the vast majority were delivered with the standard steel one. Suspension was independent by coil springs at the front and by live axle and semi-elliptic springs at the rear. Braking was by servo-assisted drums all-round. Improved performance arrived with the S2 model of 1959, when the straight-six engine was finally pensioned off in favour of a new 6. 2-litre aluminium V8 unit. This raised the top speed to some 114mph and greatly enhanced acceleration. Power steering became standard and electrically operated windows an option. The model's final iteration was the S3. Introduced in 1962, it featured a lower bonnet line, different grille and twin headlamps. The interior modifications included individual seats for the front occupants and increased legroom for those in the rear. Engine power was increased by seven per cent. Some 1, 630 S3s were produced between 1962 and 1966.
Finished in Midnight Blue with a delightfully patinated Light Blue interior, 'APV 758B' has been maintained by the likes of Bentley Cheltenham and marque specialists RR&B garages. Understood to have been the subject of a previous bodywork restoration and repaint, it is noted in the history file that the S3 is fitted with fibreglass front wings and sills. An invoice is on file for the aforementioned RR&B garages for over £12, 500 dated January 2023 which includes attention being paid to the braking system. Offered with S3 handbook, Green continuation log book, collection of old tax discs and invoices, plus MOT certificates back to 1967, and although exempt a current MOT certificate into March 2025.
